FULLERTON, CA- In observance of Autism Awareness Month in April and in support of Fullerton autism charities and special education programs, 600 attendees are anticipated to raise $45,000 at the Fullerton Cares 3rd annual ‘Heroes Comedy Show for Autism with Brad Williams and Friends’ benefit comedy night, featuring nationally headlining comics CARLOS MENCIA, GEORGE PEREZ, BRAD WILLIAMS, and other special guests at the historic Fox Theatre Fullerton at 500 N. Harbor Blvd. in Fullerton on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the show from 7-9 p.m.

Tickets (http://acomedyshowforautism.eventbrite.com) for the Comedy Show for Autism are $30 for general admission, $50 for Comfortable choice, $100 seating (in rows 1-5), and $200 for VIP Orchestra, which includes food, a wine tasting, and the possibility of meeting some surprise special guests.

The show is held in the historic Fox Theatre for the first time in 2013, a venue that has been a central feature in Fullerton for over 80 years.

The 2012 Comedy Show for Autism raised $6000 and hosted 450 attendees, with performances from Jim Jefferies, Edwin San Juan, George Perez and Jeff Garcia.

Says Summer Dabbs, Director at Fullerton Cares, “Comedy Show for Autism benefits a cause that is very special to me and I am proud that we have the ability to make a difference and spread autism awareness in our community.”

Dabbs, of Fullerton, has been involved in special education for over 20 years, working as an ABA therapist, and is personally affected by autism in her own immediate family with the diagnosis of the son of boyfriend Larry Houser, Founder of Fullerton Cares.

Says Houser, “When I first found out my son had autism I felt alone. I received an enormous amount of support from local business owners and friends including Fullerton resident Dan Ebert, comedy event director, and Orange County resident Brad Williams, an incredible comic, autism supporter, and a person who has been instrumental in providing the top-quality talent we have each year. They have been with us since the beginning and we are eternally grateful for the time and talent they have lent to our local families affected by autism.”

Tickets can be purchased through EventBrite http://acomedyshowforautism.eventbrite.com

Heroes Bar and Grill, of Fullerton, is the presenting sponsor of the event. Heroes supports local autism initiatives, including having recently participated in the Bourbon Street ‘Mardi Gras for Autism’ benefit on Feb. 9, which raised $8,000 for Fullerton School District’s autism programs.

ABOUT FULLERTON CARES: Awareness, acceptance and fundraising are the pillars of Fullerton Cares, which spreads the message of autism throughout North OC and was founded by Lawrence Houser, 36, father to Boyd Houser, 4, who was diagnosed with autism at age two. Raising funds for autism charities and autism programs in Fullerton schools through organizing comedy nights, golf tournaments, and Mardi Gras-style fundraisers, Fullerton Cares was founded in 2009 and has raised over $33,000 to support autism initiatives. http://fullertoncares.com/

ABOUT AUTISM: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism now affects about 1 in every 88 American children, including 1 in 54 boys. Autism is a complex condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. http://www.autismspeaks.org